Silver Spring Stage to Present THE PILLOWMAN, 11/1-23

Silver Spring Stage presents The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh, directed by Craig Mummey and produced by Pauline Griller-Mitchell and Amy Sullivan, an engrossing and provocative drama that centers on a writer in an unnamed totalitarian state who is being interrogated about the gruesome content of his short stories and their similarities to a series of child murders. With dark echoes of the Grimm tales, this is an unflinching examination of the very nature and purpose of art. The Pillowman will perform weekends November 1 to 23.

Note: The Pillowman contains mature and disturbing subject matter that may not be suitable for all audiences. Not recommended for children under 13 years old.

Silver Spring Stage is located in the Woodmoor Shopping Center, lower level (next to the CVS) at Colesville Road and University Boulevard. Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $18 for seniors and students. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8:00 PM and Sundays November 10 and 17 at 2:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased at www.ssstage.org. Information is also available by calling (301) 593-6036.

Silver Spring Stage - the DC area's "Little Theatre with Big Ideas" - focuses on presenting contemporary, sometimes challenging plays. The Pillowman more than fills that bill and has been honored for doing so: It won two Tony awards and a New York Drama Critics' Circle Award, along with the UK's Olivier Award for Best New Play. Director Craig Mummey says "The Pillowman" deals with a long list of themes: "freedom of expression and the responsibility of the artist, individuality, fatalism, man's inhumanity to man, the art of storytelling, and on and on. Disturbing as it is, "The Pillowman" is also breathtaking in its dark humor, a hallmark of McDonagh's writing. "He has drama and humor in a choke-hold death match with each other," Mummey says. "And that's been the great fun and challenge of working with this script."

Katurian (Chad W. Fornwalt), a writer of grisly short stories often showing violence against children, has been arrested by two detectives, Ariel (Kyle McGruther) and Tupolski (Lars Klores), because some of his stories resemble recent child murders. When he hears that his brother Michal has confessed to the murders and implicated Katurian, he resigns himself to his execution but attempts to save his stories from destruction. The play includes reenactments of several of Katurian's stories.The Pillowman is bold and disturbing theater that will leave audiences with a memorable experience.

The cast also Chris Daileader as Michal, Katurian's mentally damaged brother; Malinda K. Smith as the Mother; David Flinn as the Father, and Kelsey Murray as the Child. The production team includes Amy Sullivan (Assistant Director), Rob Allen and Bridget Muehlberger (Stage Managers), Andrew Greenleaf (Set Design, Master Carpenter, Set Painting), Kevin Boyce (Lighting Design), Patrick Hughes (Sound Design, Original Music), HArlene Leahy (Costume Design), Sonya Okin (Props), Andrew Greenleaf, Craig Allen Mummey, Amy Sullivan (Set Dressing), Andrew Greenleaf and Lars Klores (Special Effects) and William T. Fleming (Fight Choreographer).

Silver Spring Stage continues its 2013-2014 season with A Christmas Carol (Dec 13-22), The Complete Works of Shakespeare Abridged (Jan 10-Feb 1), Superior Donuts (Feb 21-Mar 15), Other Desert Cities (Apr 4-27), Arabian Nights (May 16-Jun 7) and Good People* (Jun 27-July 20). *Pending rights availability.

Silver Spring Stage has provided quality, affordable theatre for over 40 years. We are an all-volunteer, non- profit organization and appreciate any contribution to enable us to offer excellent and entertaining productions. Thank you for your interest and support of Silver Spring Stage. All programs at Silver Spring Stage are made possible in part by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council.

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